Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on February 20, 2026
Privacy and transparency: On the RTI Act amendment, petitions
There must be no information asymmetry between state and citizens
RTI ActDPDP ActPrivacyTransparencySupreme CourtRight to Information
Sentences
Sentence 1 of 19
English Original
On Monday,the Supreme Court of Indiareferreda series of petitions challenging the amendment to Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act by Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023,to a Constitution Bench,recognising its “constitutional sensitivity”.
A specific day in the past when the court made this decision
SubjectWho/What
the Supreme Court of India
The highest judicial body in India
VerbWhat is happening
referred
Sent a case to a different group or higher level for a decision
ObjectWhat receives action
a series of petitionschallenging the amendment to Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act by Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023
Many formal requests asking the court to cancel a new change in the law that limits the right to ask for information
AdjunctAdditional info
to a Constitution Bench
A special group of 5 or more Supreme Court judges who handle very important legal questions
AdjunctAdditional info
recognising its “constitutional sensitivity”
Accepting that this issue is very important and related to the basic rules of the country
Context and Background
What is a Constitution Bench?
A Constitution Bench is a special bench of the Supreme Court of India comprising at least five judges. These benches are formed to decide “substantial questions of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution” or to resolve conflicting judgments from smaller benches.
Sentence 2 of 19
English Original
The Chief Justice of Indiaevenremarkedthat the Court might “have to lay down what is meant by ‘personal information’”.
to create an informed citizenry and ensure state accountability
To make sure citizens know what is happening and to make the government responsible for its actions
AdjunctAdditional info
which is vital for a democracy
Because knowing things and having a responsible government is very necessary for a free country
Context and Background
What is the RTI Act, 2005?
The Right to Information (RTI) Act is a law passed by the Indian Parliament in 2005. It gives citizens the right to request information from public authorities, making the government more transparent and accountable. It is considered one of the most powerful tools for Indian citizens to fight corruption.
Sentence 4 of 19
English Original
Over two decades later,the DPDP Acthas delivereda body blowby diluting one of its foundational sections.
More than twenty years after the RTI Act was first passed
SubjectWho/What
the DPDP Act
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, a new law about privacy
VerbWhat is happening
has delivered
Has given or caused something to happen
ObjectWhat receives action
a body blow
A very severe shock or a major setback
AdjunctAdditional info
by diluting one of its foundational sections
By making one of the most important parts of the RTI law weaker and less effective
Sentence 5 of 19
English Original
Section 8(1)(j)originallyallowedthe withholding of personal informationonly if it had no relationship to any public activity or interest, or if its disclosure resulted in an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
In the beginning or in the first version of the law
VerbWhat is happening
allowed
Permitted or gave permission for something
ObjectWhat receives action
the withholding of personal information
Refusing to give out private details about a person
AdjunctAdditional info
only if it had no relationship to any public activity or interest, or if its disclosure resulted in an unwarrantedinvasion of privacy
Only when the information was totally private and didn’t matter to the public, or if sharing it would unfairly disturb someone’s private life
Sentence 6 of 19
English Original
Crucially,the sectionincludeda “public interest override”as an integral feature of the 2005 Act,permitting disclosure if a Public Information Officer was satisfied that the larger public interest justified it.
The specific part of the RTI law we are discussing
VerbWhat is happening
included
Had or contained as a part
ObjectWhat receives action
a “public interest override”
A rule that lets info be shared if it is good for the public, even if it is private
AdjunctAdditional info
as an integral feature of the 2005 Act
As an essential and basic part of the law passed in 2005
AdjunctAdditional info
permitting disclosure if a Public Information Officer was satisfied that the larger public interest justified it
Allowing the information to be shown if the official in charge felt that it was more important for the public to know than to keep it secret
Sentence 7 of 19
English Original
The DPDP amendmentremovesthis overrideandprohibitsthe disclosure of “any information which relates to personal information”,amounting to a blanket ban.
The “blanket ban” or the new amendment mentioned in the previous sentence
VerbWhat is happening
enables
Makes it possible for something to happen
ObjectWhat receives action
rejecting requests concerning officials, procurement records, audit reports or public spending
Refusing to answer questions about government officers, buying records, checked bills, and how public money is spent
Sentence 9 of 19
English Original
In its campaign for the RTI,the Internet Freedom Foundationhas highlighteda “legitimate uses” paradox here:while Section 7 of the DPDP Act allows the state to process personal data without consent, the RTI amendment prevents citizens from using similar principles to seek transparency from the state.
In their effort to protect and support the Right to Information law
SubjectWho/What
the Internet Freedom Foundation
An Indian non-profit organization that works for digital rights and freedoms
VerbWhat is happening
has highlighted
Has pointed out or called attention to
ObjectWhat receives action
a “legitimate uses” paradox here
A situation where two parts of the same logic seem to work against each other
AdjunctAdditional info
while Section 7 of the DPDP Act allows the state to process personal data without consent, the RTI amendment prevents citizens from using similar principles to seek transparency from the state
Although the new law lets the government use people’s private info without asking them, the same law stops people from using similar rules to get information from the government
Context and Background
What is the Legitimate Uses Paradox?
The DPDP Act allows the government to use personal data for “certain legitimate uses” (like providing subsidies or permits) without the user’s consent. IFF argues it’s ironic that while the state claims “legitimate use” to access citizen data, citizens can’t claim “public interest” (a similar principle) to access official information under RTI.
Sentence 10 of 19
English Original
Thus,while the government can monitor the citizen,the citizenis deniedthe ability to scrutinise the government.
A situation where journalists are scared to report the truth
AdjunctAdditional info
on the press
On newspapers and news organizations
Sentence 12 of 19
English Original
As argued in one of the writ petitions by The Reporters’ Collective,journalistscould be classifiedas “data fiduciaries”under the DPDP Act and its Ruleswhen collecting information for investigative reports.
As argued in one of the writ petitions by The Reporters’ Collective
According to what a group of journalists said in their legal request to the court
SubjectWho/What
journalists
People who collect and report news
VerbWhat is happening
could be classified
Might be officially called or labeled
ComplementCompletes meaning
as “data fiduciaries”
As people who are responsible for taking care of other people’s private info
AdjunctAdditional info
under the DPDP Act and its Rules
According to the new privacy law and its specific details
AdjunctAdditional info
when collecting information for investigative reports
When they are gathering facts for deep news stories about secrets or problems
Context and Background
What are
Under the DPDP Act 2023, a ‘Data Fiduciary’ is any person or entity that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data. They have significant legal obligations and can be held liable for any data breaches or misuse. Journalists fear this label could make their work legally risky.
Sentence 13 of 19
English Original
Non-compliance with the Actcan attractfines up to ₹250 crore.
A linking verb connecting the subject to its description
ComplementCompletes meaning
ironic
Strange or surprising because it is the opposite of what you expect
AdjunctAdditional info
that the DPDP Act provides exemptions to startups but omits similar protections for journalism
That the new law gives special relief to new small companies but leaves out similar safety for news reporting
Sentence 16 of 19
English Original
Thisisin sharp contrast with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR),which balances privacy and transparency to ensure accountability.
The situation in India where journalism is not protected
VerbWhat is happening
is
A linking verb describing a state of being
ComplementCompletes meaning
in sharp contrast with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Very different from the main privacy law in Europe
AdjunctAdditional info
which balances privacy and transparency to ensure accountability
Which gives importance to both private life and the right to know to make sure someone is responsible
Context and Background
What is GDPR?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data privacy law in the European Union that went into effect in 2018. It is known for its strict rules on data protection but also includes exemptions for journalistic, academic, artistic, or literary purposes to protect freedom of expression.
Sentence 17 of 19
English Original
The Constitution Benchmust referto the judgment, Central Public Information Officer (2019),which held that personal information should remain private unless disclosure is necessary for the larger public interest.
The group of five or more Supreme Court judges hearing this case
VerbWhat is happening
must refer
Should look at and mention as an example or rule
ObjectWhat receives action
to the judgment, Central Public Information Officer (2019)
A specific official legal decision made in 2019
AdjunctAdditional info
which held that personal information should remain private unless disclosure is necessary for the larger public interest
Which decided that private details should not be shared unless it is very important for everyone to know
Context and Background
What is the CPIO (2019) Judgment?
In the case ‘Central Public Information Officer, Supreme Court vs. Subhash Chandra Agarwal (2019)’, the Supreme Court ruled that the office of the CJI is a public authority under RTI. However, it also held that personal information is exempt from disclosure under Section 8(1)(j) unless the public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm to the individual’s privacy.
Sentence 18 of 19
English Original
Itis knownthat the RTI has significantly reduced state-citizen (this includes the poor) information asymmetry over two decades.
Is a fact that many people already understand and accept
AdjunctAdditional info
that the RTI has significantly reduced state-citizen (this includes the poor) information asymmetry over two decades
That the RTI law has greatly decreased the gap between what the government knows and what ordinary people (including poor people) know over the last twenty years
Sentence 19 of 19
English Original
Ensuring its survivalisessential for a responsive government.
Making sure that the RTI law continues to exist and work properly
VerbWhat is happening
is
A linking verb describing what the subject is
ComplementCompletes meaning
essential for a responsive government
Absolutely necessary for a government that listens and reacts to its people
Sentence 1 of 19
Sentence 1 of 19
On Monday,the Supreme Court of Indiareferreda series of petitions challenging the amendment to Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act by Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023,to a Constitution Bench,recognising its “constitutional sensitivity”.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
On Monday
A specific day in the past when the court made this decision
Subject
the Supreme Court of India
The highest judicial body in India
Verb
referred
Sent a case to a different group or higher level for a decision
Object
a series of petitions challenging the amendment to Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act by Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023
Many formal requests asking the court to cancel a new change in the law that limits the right to ask for information
Adjunct
to a Constitution Bench
A special group of 5 or more Supreme Court judges who handle very important legal questions
Adjunct
recognising its “constitutional sensitivity”
Accepting that this issue is very important and related to the basic rules of the country
Sentence 2 of 19
The Chief Justice of Indiaevenremarkedthat the Court might “have to lay down what is meant by ‘personal information’”.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The Chief Justice of India
The highest-ranking judge of the Supreme Court and head of the Indian judiciary
Adjunct
even
A word used to emphasize that something is surprising or goes beyond what was expected
Verb
remarked
Said or commented on something
Object
that the Court might “have to lay down what is meant by ‘personal information’”
That the judges may need to clearly define or create a rule about what exactly counts as private info
Sentence 3 of 19
The RTI Act, 2005was enactedto create an informed citizenry and ensure state accountability,which is vital for a democracy.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The RTI Act, 2005
The Right to Information law passed in 2005
Verb
was enacted
Was officially made into a law
Adjunct
to create an informed citizenry and ensure state accountability
To make sure citizens know what is happening and to make the government responsible for its actions
Adjunct
which is vital for a democracy
Because knowing things and having a responsible government is very necessary for a free country
Sentence 4 of 19
Over two decades later,the DPDP Acthas delivereda body blowby diluting one of its foundational sections.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Over two decades later
More than twenty years after the RTI Act was first passed
Subject
the DPDP Act
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, a new law about privacy
Verb
has delivered
Has given or caused something to happen
Object
a body blow
A very severe shock or a major setback
Adjunct
by diluting one of its foundational sections
By making one of the most important parts of the RTI law weaker and less effective
Sentence 5 of 19
Section 8(1)(j)originallyallowedthe withholding of personal informationonly if it had no relationship to any public activity or interest, or if its disclosure resulted in an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Section 8(1)(j)
A specific part of the Right to Information law
Adjunct
originally
In the beginning or in the first version of the law
Verb
allowed
Permitted or gave permission for something
Object
the withholding of personal information
Refusing to give out private details about a person
Adjunct
only if it had no relationship to any public activity or interest, or if its disclosure resulted in an unwarranted invasion of privacy
Only when the information was totally private and didn’t matter to the public, or if sharing it would unfairly disturb someone’s private life
Sentence 6 of 19
Crucially,the sectionincludeda “public interest override”as an integral feature of the 2005 Act,permitting disclosure if a Public Information Officer was satisfied that the larger public interest justified it.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Crucially
Very importantly
Subject
the section
The specific part of the RTI law we are discussing
Verb
included
Had or contained as a part
Object
a “public interest override”
A rule that lets info be shared if it is good for the public, even if it is private
Adjunct
as an integral feature of the 2005 Act
As an essential and basic part of the law passed in 2005
Adjunct
permitting disclosure if a Public Information Officer was satisfied that the larger public interest justified it
Allowing the information to be shown if the official in charge felt that it was more important for the public to know than to keep it secret
Sentence 7 of 19
The DPDP amendmentremovesthis overrideandprohibitsthe disclosure of “any information which relates to personal information”,amounting to a blanket ban.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The DPDP amendment
The new change made to the law by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act
Verb
removes
Takes away or deletes
Object
this override
The rule that allowed public interest to be more important than privacy
Verb
prohibits
Strictly forbids or stops
Object
the disclosure of “any information which relates to personal information”
Giving out any details that are connected to a person’s private information
Adjunct
amounting to a blanket ban
Which means it is a complete and total stop on giving out such info
Sentence 8 of 19
Thisenablesrejecting requests concerning officials, procurement records, audit reports or public spending.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
This
The “blanket ban” or the new amendment mentioned in the previous sentence
Verb
enables
Makes it possible for something to happen
Object
rejecting requests concerning officials, procurement records, audit reports or public spending
Refusing to answer questions about government officers, buying records, checked bills, and how public money is spent
Sentence 9 of 19
In its campaign for the RTI,the Internet Freedom Foundationhas highlighteda “legitimate uses” paradox here:while Section 7 of the DPDP Act allows the state to process personal data without consent, the RTI amendment prevents citizens from using similar principles to seek transparency from the state.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In its campaign for the RTI
In their effort to protect and support the Right to Information law
Subject
the Internet Freedom Foundation
An Indian non-profit organization that works for digital rights and freedoms
Verb
has highlighted
Has pointed out or called attention to
Object
a “legitimate uses” paradox here
A situation where two parts of the same logic seem to work against each other
Adjunct
while Section 7 of the DPDP Act allows the state to process personal data without consent, the RTI amendment prevents citizens from using similar principles to seek transparency from the state
Although the new law lets the government use people’s private info without asking them, the same law stops people from using similar rules to get information from the government
Sentence 10 of 19
Thus,while the government can monitor the citizen,the citizenis deniedthe ability to scrutinise the government.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Thus
Because of this or therefore
Adjunct
while the government can monitor the citizen
Even though the government has the power to watch over what people do
Subject
the citizen
An ordinary person living in the country
Verb
is denied
Is refused or not allowed to have
Object
the ability to scrutinise the government
The power to look closely at and check what the government is doing
Sentence 11 of 19
This amendmentalsocreatesa severe “chilling effect”on the press.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
This amendment
The new change in the RTI law
Adjunct
also
In addition to what was already described
Verb
creates
Produces or causes to happen
Object
a severe “chilling effect”
A situation where journalists are scared to report the truth
Adjunct
on the press
On newspapers and news organizations
Sentence 12 of 19
As argued in one of the writ petitions by The Reporters’ Collective,journalistscould be classifiedas “data fiduciaries”under the DPDP Act and its Ruleswhen collecting information for investigative reports.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
As argued in one of the writ petitions by The Reporters’ Collective
According to what a group of journalists said in their legal request to the court
Subject
journalists
People who collect and report news
Verb
could be classified
Might be officially called or labeled
Complement
as “data fiduciaries”
As people who are responsible for taking care of other people’s private info
Adjunct
under the DPDP Act and its Rules
According to the new privacy law and its specific details
Adjunct
when collecting information for investigative reports
When they are gathering facts for deep news stories about secrets or problems
Sentence 13 of 19
Non-compliance with the Actcan attractfines up to ₹250 crore.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Non-compliance with the Act
Failing to follow the rules of this new law
Verb
can attract
Can result in or lead to
Object
fines up to ₹250 crore
Money penalties as high as 2,500 million rupees
Sentence 14 of 19
Such a legal frameworkthreatensreducing journalism to just publishing government releases.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Such a legal framework
A system of laws like the one being discussed
Verb
threatens
Puts something at risk or is a danger to
Object
reducing journalism to just publishing government releases
Making news reporting so weak that it only prints whatever the government tells it to
Sentence 15 of 19
Itisironicthat the DPDP Act provides exemptions to startups but omits similar protections for journalism.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
It
A placeholder word used to start the sentence
Verb
is
A linking verb connecting the subject to its description
Complement
ironic
Strange or surprising because it is the opposite of what you expect
Adjunct
that the DPDP Act provides exemptions to startups but omits similar protections for journalism
That the new law gives special relief to new small companies but leaves out similar safety for news reporting
Sentence 16 of 19
Thisisin sharp contrast with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR),which balances privacy and transparency to ensure accountability.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
This
The situation in India where journalism is not protected
Verb
is
A linking verb describing a state of being
Complement
in sharp contrast with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Very different from the main privacy law in Europe
Adjunct
which balances privacy and transparency to ensure accountability
Which gives importance to both private life and the right to know to make sure someone is responsible
Sentence 17 of 19
The Constitution Benchmust referto the judgment, Central Public Information Officer (2019),which held that personal information should remain private unless disclosure is necessary for the larger public interest.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The Constitution Bench
The group of five or more Supreme Court judges hearing this case
Verb
must refer
Should look at and mention as an example or rule
Object
to the judgment, Central Public Information Officer (2019)
A specific official legal decision made in 2019
Adjunct
which held that personal information should remain private unless disclosure is necessary for the larger public interest
Which decided that private details should not be shared unless it is very important for everyone to know
Sentence 18 of 19
Itis knownthat the RTI has significantly reduced state-citizen (this includes the poor) information asymmetry over two decades.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
It
A placeholder word to start the sentence
Verb
is known
Is a fact that many people already understand and accept
Adjunct
that the RTI has significantly reduced state-citizen (this includes the poor) information asymmetry over two decades
That the RTI law has greatly decreased the gap between what the government knows and what ordinary people (including poor people) know over the last twenty years
Sentence 19 of 19
Ensuring its survivalisessential for a responsive government.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Ensuring its survival
Making sure that the RTI law continues to exist and work properly
Verb
is
A linking verb describing what the subject is
Complement
essential for a responsive government
Absolutely necessary for a government that listens and reacts to its people
Reading Comprehension
Practice questions based on this editorial
Reading Comprehension - RTI Act Amendment
Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the challenges to the RTI Act amendment and its impact on transparency.
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